I know the Bucks were missing Andrew Bogut -- Andrew Bogut is basketball for Mark Prior -- but to get slaughtered even though the Bulls committed 20 turnovers is embarrassing even for a Milwaukee team.

Say this for Noah, though: He got past playing head games about his ridiculously big contract and for the last month has played like the double-double/defensive maniac who convinced the Bulls to offer him that ridiculously big contract.

The $60 million deal for Noah is a ton of money for someone who doesn’t have the offensive game to take some of the burden off Derrick Rose. The $71 million for Luol Deng was laughably over-the-top because Deng wasn’t one of the top players in the NBA. Noah and Deng certainly know their roles on this team, and Deng continues contribute in more and more ways, but it still makes you wonder if the Bulls’ capologist is Jim Hendry.

Has Noah’s post-game team function -- quote, unquote -- ended yet?

If it indeed has ended, has anyone told Noah?

Carlos Boozer was just three rebounds and six turnovers away from his own triple-double.

Rose said Richard Hamilton is a big part of the Bulls, and I’m thinking, how would anyone know? I mean, can the aggravatingly creaky Hamilton stay healthy enough to play a week of games after All-Star weekend?

Just one game?

If you’re trying to figure out whether the Bulls are good enough to beat the Heat, forget it. Without Hamilton, the Bulls pretty much have the same team as last year when they lost in five games.

Even with Hamilton, the Bulls still might not be good enough to beat Miami, but we have no idea until we actually see Hamilton with the Bulls. I mean, the guy goes a month without playing, so how will the Bulls beat the Heat four times in two weeks?

They won’t, is the right answer right now.

The Heat, by the way, are deeper than they were last year. Which makes them better than last year. Connect the dots, people.

Shot-blocking big man Joel Przybilla ditched the Bulls and the Heat, signing with the Trail Blazers. I’m sure the Bulls could use him, but if their title hopes came down to Przybilla, then they’re out of hope.

Dwight Howard, now that’s altogether different.

Mike James is tough and game, a nice story and a helpful addition, but if this season comes down to James, please see Przybilla above.

I still don’t understand how the Hornets and Bobcats remain in the NBA, but man, wouldn’t you love to have Michael Jordan and the NBA in your fantasy league?

Jordan, by the way, filed suit in a Chinese court against a company using his name and number in Chinese characters. Jordan said it’s not about the money, so of course it’s about the money.

Let me see if I have this straight: The Asian market cannot touch Jordan’s name and number unless it is sewing them into his sneakers for a penny a day.

Illinois center Meyers Leonard broke down in tears during a recent loss to stinkin’ Nebraska, and I’m thinking, I don’t know if he’ll have an NBA career, but he certainly screams Vancouver Canuck to me.

The Bulls’ lockout-corrupted schedule loosens up after All-Star weekend: 31 games in 12 days.

All-Star Game prediction: Tom Thibodeau gets two technicals in the first two minutes so he can be excused from the annual abortion.